Harvey Milk, an American hero

If  you haven't seen the movie "Milk" about the life of the inspiring  Harvey Milk, as played by maybe America's greatest actor (Sean Penn), I urge you to do exactly that.  It is truly an inspiration and it is not just about  the rights of gay men or women (and their progress as a group in expanding and  ensuring their rights in America) but it is also about every and all groups in not only America but throughout the world hat have to deal with oppression and injustice. 

       The late Harvey Milk, who was shot and killed by a deranged forrmer city council member in San Francisco,  by the name of Dan White has been awarded a Medal of Freedom by President Obama. This is the highest award that a civilian can earn in the United States. Harvey Milik was probably the first openly gay politican when elected in the 1970s to the city counil of San Francisco. Indeed, 30 years later from his death, there are still many towns and cities that an openly gay man could not get elected but the number expands year by year.

  Harvey Milk is of course demonized, unfortunately, by the far right who have yet to embrace gay rights. But like their eventual embracement of the right of women to vote and interracial marriage, that too will one day change . When that day comes Harvey Milk won't just be a hero to the gay and left community, but as he deserves, to all Americans.